If he doesn’t agree to her demands soon, she’s prepared for a fight in the divorce court

A source close to Demi Moore

The Striptease and GI Jane actress, who once earned up to $13million a movie, is locked in a bitter battle with third hubby Ashton, 34.

According to America’s Forbes magazine, he raked in $26million last year after replacing Charlie Sheen in the hit sitcom Two And A Half Men.

And he has amassed more than $97million since marrying Demi in 2005, thanks to a string of films and constant re-runs of his ten-season TV comedy That 70s Show.

Now Demi, who is 50 on November 11, is demanding half his fortune – equivalent to $50million.

A source close to her said yesterday: “Under Californian law she’s entitled to half of everything he has earned since the day they tied the knot.

“He’s been dragging his heels because he doesn’t want to cough up that much.

“And if he doesn’t agree to her demands soon, she’s prepared for a fight in the divorce court.

“She has set her 50th birthday as deadline day for Ashton to come up with every last cent she believes a judge would award her.”

Kutcher, who was kicked out by Demi after cheating with San Diego party girl Sara Leal on their wedding anniversary more than a year ago, is now dating Mila Kunis, 29, his former co-star on That 70s Show.

After being declared Sexiest Woman Alive earlier this month by US magazine Esquire, Mila said: “It’s the real deal with Ashton. We’d love to settle down and start a family.”

However, Demi’s pal insisted: “It’s excruciatingly painful for her to hear things like that. She feels he deserves to cough up half of what he’s earned since they’ve been together.”

A friend of Kutcher said: “He’s desperate to end the marriage and get on with his new life but Demi is demanding a fortune.

“Ashton still wants an amicable settlement. He’s desperately hoping that Demi might scale down the money she wants him to pay.”

Demi, who has three daughters with her second husband, screen action hero Bruce Willis, has the law on her side, ­according to LA family legal expert Jim Fedalen.

He said: “In cases like this in California, judges almost always award 50% of income since the wedding to spouses who petition for divorce.”